A breakthrough molecule-making machine could act as the 3D chemistry printer.

The machine can assemble incredibly complex molecule structures on command. This could lead to the creation of new drugs and other technologies that require the use of small molecules. Small molecules have proven to be extremely difficult to create in a lab in the past, and can often take years to be developed.

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It simplifies the complex process of synthesizing chemical into a series of generalizable steps. Whether you're trying to form a ring of carbon atoms or strip away hydrogen atoms, each step requires a dose of starting chemicals, separated into distinct building blocks.

To perform each step, the machine connects a building block and then induces a chemical reaction and washes away the reaction's byproduct. It slowly builds each molecule from the ground up. The building blocks are snapped together like LEGOs, allowing the chemicals to mix and a reaction to take place.

"There are many molecules in nature with some extraordinary natural properties, that are incredibly hard to make and just aren't available to be purchased in a [lab supply] catalog," said University of Illinois chemist Martin Burke.

"The general assumption has long been that you need a custom strategy to build each molecule, especially if you're trying to automate the process. But we've demonstrated you can use the same system to create radically different molecules. You just need to modulate a step-by-step process,"

In automating the building blocks, the research team devised a "catch-and-release" method that stacks one piece at a time, and rinses away any excess components before adding the next. The machine allowed the scientists to build 14 different classes of small molecule, even those that have been difficult to manufacture in the past.

Researchers plan to begin using this new technology in the research of anti-fungal medications.

Burke's prototype is currently limited in the number of chemicals it can produce. But he believes that it can already be put to use in developing new drugs.

The findings were published in a recent edition of the journal Science.

TagsRecently Developed 3D Printer for Molecules Can Revolutionize Chemistry, Chemistry, molecules, 3D Printer for molecules